Automobile lighting system



Jan. 19, 1937. w R TQMLIN 2,068,580,

AUTOMOBILE LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 10, 19:54

36 llYVf/Y 7-0/8 35 38 WWWVL K 41/ 01% Patented Jan. 19,1937- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i p aeeaaao I I AUTOMOBILE LIGHTING srs'r zn Wesley mam. Tomlin, Fort Collins, 0010. Applicationnccember 10,1934, Serial No. 756,826

11 Claims. (01.111-97) My invention relates to improvements in electrical lighting systems, especially adapted for use in automobile lighting. The object of the. improvement is to provide a system whereby an automobile two-filament headlight will function substitute taillight in the event the taillight ceases to function.

The usefulness and adaptation of the invention will be more readily understood by the inspection of the accompanying drawing, the scope of the invention being indicated in the appending claims, the following being a brief descrip- 25 tion of the drawing.

Fig. l is .a diagrammatic illustration of the system during normal operation, and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the system upon failure of one filament. c

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanyingdrawing show a diagrammatic view of one headlamp bulb containing two-filaments,a source of electric current which commonly and generallyused in an automobile is a storage battery, a manual- 35 ly controlled electric switch for'selectivelyconnecting the current source to either of the said filaments, electromagnetic switches automatically operable by the normal illumination of either of said filaments and electromagnetic 40 switches automatically operable by an interruption of the normal flow of electric current thru either of said filaments. rent source and one side. of each filament is shown as grounded to the frame of the automo:

45 bile, the circuit being completedby electrically connecting the opposite pole of the current source to the ungrounded side of either filament.

Only one headlight is shown but the connections to the second headlight are shown by the 50 dotted lines 20 and 2| connecting at points B and C. The same type of apparatus is required -for each headlight, also if used in combination with the taillight andstop light. The following is adetaileddescription of the 5 unitsas shown in the drawing. The source of One pole of the cur-" current i is a storage battery, 2 is a manually operated switch for selectively illuminating the desired filament by'making engagement with one of either stationary contacts 3 or 4, an electromagnet I is energized by an uninterrupted fiow of electric current thru the winding 8, an armature 9 normally engaged in contact with stationary contact ill by means of the tension of spring 42 is attracted toward 1 by the energization of electromagnet I. This operation as shown in Figure 1 takes place only when the switch 2 is engaged with contact 3 and the dimnier filament 24 of the head lamp bulb 25 is normal and functioning. An electromagnet 26 is energized by an uninterrupted flow of electric current thru the winding 21, an armature 23normally engaged in contact with stationary contact 30 by means of the tension of spring-ll is attracted toward 26 by the energization of electromagnet 26. This operation (not shown) takes place only when the switch 2 is engaged in contact with stationary contact 4 and the-bright filament 23 of the headlamp bulb 25 is normal and functioning. An electromagnet I3 is energized by an uninterrupted flow of electric current thru winding It. An armature l6 normally engaged in contact with contact point ll by means of the tension of spring 40 as shown in Figure 1 is attracted togage in contact with contact point 33.

ward electromagnet l3 upon the energization of i3, this operation as shown in Figure 2 causes armature I6 to engage in contact with stationary contact 44. An electromagnet 36 is energized by an uninterrupted flow of electric current thru winding 38. An armature normally engaged in contact with'stationary contact point 34 by means of the tension of spring 39 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is attracted toward electromagnet 36 upon the energization of- 36, this operation (not shown) causes armature 39 to en- A reesistance l5 placed inthe circuit thru the winding I4 is so designed to permit suflicient current to pass for the energization of electromagnet l4 sufliciently to attract armature IE "but of high enough resistance to retain suflicient current delivered from contact 3 for the illumination of the headlamp bright filament 23 as shown in Figure 2. Likewise a resistance 31 placed in the circuit thru the winding 38 is so designed to permit sufficient current to pass for the energization of electromagnet 36 sufflciently to attract armature 35 but of high enough resistance to retain sufficient current delivered from contact 4 for the illumination of the headlamp dimmer filament 24, a resistance I2 is placed in the circuit between contact points I0 and 44 for the purpose of dimming the bright filament 23 only when the bright filament 23 is illuminated as a substitute for a broken dimmer filament 24 as shown in Figure 2.

In the operation of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1 the switch 2 is engaged in contact with contact point 3, thus closing the circuit from battery I thru wire 5, switch 2, contact point 3 and wire 6 to point D thru winding 8 and wire I! to contact point 34, thence thru armature 35 and wire 43 to dimmer filament 24 thereby illuminating dimmer filament 24. winding 8 energizes electromagnet 1 thereby attracting armature 9 towards I. This disengages contact between armature 9 and contact point iii. In event the dimmer filament 24 breaks or ceases to function normally, as shown in Figure 2, the circuit thru winding 8 is opened and electromagnet 1 no longer being energized releases its attraction for armature 9,. Armature 9 then by means of the tension of spring 42 returns to normal position and engages in contact with contact point l0. Electric current then is transmitted from point 3 thru wire 6 to point D, thence to armature 9, thru contact point It! and wire ii to point F thru winding l4 and resistance I5 to ground, thus completing the circuit thru winding l4. This operation energizes electromagnet [3 which attracts armature l6, thereby causing armature it to disengage contact with contact point I! also armature l6 engages in contact with contact point 44. Electric current then is delivered from F thru resistance l2 to contact point 44, thence thru armature l6 and wire l8 to bright filament 23 thereby illuminating bright filament 23. As the control switch 2 is positioned for a desired dimmer light the resistance I2 is placed in this circuit for dimming the bright filament only when it is substituted for the dimmer filament. The electrical contact between armature II and point I! being opened, electric current cannot enter the opposite main circuit. In normally illuminating the bright filament 23, the description is as follows although not illustrated in the drawing, is similar to Figure 1, except the control switch 2 is engaged in contact with contact point 4. This closes the circuit from battery I, thu wire 5 to switch 2 thru contact point 4 and wire 22 to point A thru winding 21 and wire 28 to contact point l'l thru armature Hi and wire ll to bright filament 23 thereby illuminating 28. This circuit thru winding 21 energizes electromagnet 26 thereby attracting armature 29 towards 26. This disengages contact between armature 29 and contact point 30. In event the bright filament 23 breaks or ceases to function normally the circuit thru winding 2! is opened and electro-magnet 28 no longer being energized, releases its attraction for armature 29. Armature 2! then by means of the tension of spring 4| returns to normal position and engages in contact with contact point 30. Electric current then is transmitted from contact 4 thru wire 22 to point A, thence to armature 28, thru contact point 24 and wire ii to point E, thru winding 30 and resistance 31 to ground thus completing the circuit thru winding I8. This operation energizes elt a which attracts armature 35, thereby causing armature 35 to disengage contact with contact point 34, also armature 35 engem in contact with contact point 33. Electric current then is delivered from E thru wire 32 to contact point I3, thence thru armature I! and wire 4i to dimmer filament 24. As the control This circuit thru switch 2 is positioned for a desired bright light and the dimmer filament is substituted for the defective bright filament no resistance is placed between contact point 30 and contact point 33 and the dimmer filament 24 is illuminated to its fullest capacity.

In operating this system in conjunction with a taillight and stop light the same type of apparatus may be employed and instead of one control switch 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 a control switch is positioned for selective engagement with only one of the stationary contacts for nor mal illumination of the taillight and a second control switch is positioned for selective engagement with only the other stationary contact for normal illumination of the stop light.

In the use of this system it may be used with the usual type of control switches now used in automobiles as the apparatus is a unit that may be installed in any automobile using double filament headlamp bulbs.

A signal for the information of the driver concerning the condition .of each lamp bulb may be placed in a convenient position on the instrument board, said signal being operated by an uninterrupted flow of electric current thru either winding ll of electromagnet l3 or winding 38 of electromagnet 36.

It may be noted that the windings 8 and 21 should be only of sufficient capacity for energizing their respective electromagnets as the current, passing thru these windings is used to illuminate the filaments, and an excess amount of winding would decrease the amount of illumination.

Also the windings I4 and 38 may be considerably more than the required amount for energizing their respective electromagnets as the circuit thru these windings is used only for operating electromagnetic switches. It may be noted also the amount of resistance l5 depends upon the capacity of wind-ing l4 and the amount of resistance 3'! depends upon the capacity of winding 38,

The apparatus as described is especially adaptable in automobile lighting systems, however it may be used in any other system where two current consuming devices may be installed in such a way that either will automatically function in the event the other device becomes defective and ceases to function.

I claim:

1. In an electric lighting system for automobiles, a headlight system consisting of one or more headlights, an electric lamp bulb for each of said headlights, said lamp bulb having two filaments, a source of current for said filaments, one end of each of said filaments being electrically connected to one pole of said current source, a main electric switch having two stationary contacts and a movable contact, said movable contact being electrically connected to the opposite pole of said current source, said movable contact being selectively movable into and out oi engagement with either of said stationary contacts, a main circuit for each oi! said filaments, a secondary circuit associated with each of said main circuits, each of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit being electrically connected to-one oi said stationary contacts oi the main switch, each of said main circuits being completed thru its associated filament. and each secondary circuit being completed by electrical connection to the opposite pole of the current source; -a normally closed auxiliary switch in electricallyconnected to one 01' said stationary 1 the fiow of electric current atedby an uninterrupted flow of electric current thru its associated main circuit, an auxiliary electric switch ineach main circuit, said switch having a movable contact electrically connected to its associated filament and when in normal position closes said main circuit, said movable conan uninterrupted flow 01 electric current thru the secondary circuit associated with the opposite main circuit, said switch when actuated.

opens said main circuit thru its associated filament and by means of a stationary contact nositioned for engagement with the movable contact of said switch when actuated electrically connects said movable contact to an energized auxiliary circuit of the secondary circuit associated with the opposite main circuit.

2. In an electric lighting system for automobiles, a headlight system consisting of one or more headlights, an electric lamp bulb for each or said headlights, said lamp bulb having two filaments, a source of current for said filaments, one end of each of said filaments being electrically connected to one pole of said current source, a main electric switch having two stationary contacts and a movable contact, said movable contact being electrically connected to the opposite pole of said current source, said movable contact being selectively movable into and out of engagement with either or said stationary contacts, a main circuit for each of said filaments, a secondary circuit associated with each of said main circuits, each of saidmain circuits and its associated secondary circuit being contacts of the main switch, each of said main circuits being completed thru its associated filament, and each secondary circuit being completed by electrical connection to the opposite pole oithe current source; a normally closedthe opposite circuit. v

3. In an electric lighting system for automobiles, a headlight system consisting of one or more headlights, an electric lamp bulb ior each of said headlights, said lamp bulb having two filaments, a source or current-tor said filaments,

one end of each of said filaments being electrically connected to one pole of said current source, a main electric switch having two stationary contacts and a movable contact, said movable contact being electrically connected to the opposite pole of said current source, said movable contact connection to-the opposite pole of the current source; an auxiliary switch in each main circuit. said switch 01' either main circuit being actuated by means 01' an uninterrupted flow ct electric current thru the secondary circuit associated said opposite filament breaks or ceases to funcis interrupted thru the main switch to the opposite pole or the cur- 3 with the opposite mm circuit when said opposite main circuit is electrically connected to the current source and the fiow of current is interrupted by means of its associated filament being broken or ceasing to iunction; said auxiliary 5 switch having a movable contact electrically connected to its associated filament and normally closes its associated main circuit; also when actuated, said movable contact electrically connects an energized auxiliary circuit of the secondary circuit connected to the current source to the filament normally associated with the opposite main circuit.

4.'In an electric lighting system for automobiles, .a headlight system consisting of one or 15 more headlights, an electric lamp bulb for each :-site pole oi. said current source, said movable contact being selectively movable into and out of engagement with either of said stationary contacts, a main circuit for each of said filaments. a secondary circuit associated with each of said main circuits, each of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit being electrically connected to one of said stationary contacts of the main switch, each of said main circuits being completed thru its associated filament, and each secondary circuit being completed by electrical connection to the opposite pole of the current source: operative means for connecting. either filament to an energized auxiliary secondary circuit when the main switch is.positioned to illuminate the opposite filament and tion.

5. In an electric lighting system for automoq biles, a headlight system consisting of one or. more headlights, an electric lamp bulb for. each 01 said headlights, said lamp bulb having two filaments, one of said filaments termed a bright ament and the other termed a dimmer filament, source of current for said filaments, one end of each 0! said filaments being electrically connected to one pole .of said current source, a main electric switch having two stationary contacts and a movable contact, s'aid movable contact being'electrically con c nected to the other pole of the current source and being selectively movable into and out of engage ment with either of said stationary contacts, a main bright circuit and a main dimmer circuit, a secondary circuit associated with each of said main circuits, one of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit being electrically connected to one or said stationary contacts,- the other 01' said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit being electrically connected to the other of said stationary contacts, said main bright circuit electrically connecting its associated stationary contact to the bright filament and said' maindimmer circuit electrically connecting its associated stationary contact to the dimmer filament, eachof said secondary circuits electrically connecting its associated stationary contact of rent source, means for connecting either filament to an energized auxiliary secondary circuit when the main switch is positioned to illuminate the opposite filament and said opposite filament breaks or ceases to function, a placed 7 ing device in each of said secondary circuits, a

source of current for energizing each of said main circuits and each of said'secondary circuits and their respective current consuming devices, main switching means for selectively connecting either of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit with the current source, a normally closed auxiliary switch in each secondary circuit, an electromagnetic device associated with each main circuit, said device by means of an uninterrupted fiow of current thru one of said main circuits opens the auxiliary switch in the associated secondary circuit.

'7. In combination, two main electrical circuits, 8. current consuming device in each of said main circuits, a secondary electrical circuit associated with each of said main circuits, a current consuming device in each of said secondary circuits, 2. source oi! current for energizing each of said main circuits and each of said secondary circuits and their respective current consuming devices, main switching means for selectively connecting either of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit with the current source, a normally closed auxiliary switch in each secondary circuit, an electromagnetic device associated with each main circuit, said device by means of an uninterrupted flow of current thru one, of said main circuits opens the auxiliary switch in the associated sec-- ondary circuit, a normally closed auxiliary switch in each main circuit, said auxiliary switch having a movable contact, said movable contact being actuated. and opening said auxiliary switch by means of the current consuming device in the secondary circuit not associated with its said main circuit.

8. In combination, two main electrical circuits,

a current consuming device in each of said main circuits, a secondary electrical circuit associated with each of said main circuits, a current consuming device in each of said secondary circuits, a source of current for energizing each of said main circuits and each of said secondary circuits and their respective current consuming devices, main switching means for selectively-connecting either of said main circuits and its associated secondary circuit with the current source, a normally closed auxiliary switch in each secondary circuit, an electromagnetic device associated with each main circuit, said device by means of an uninterrupted flow of current thru one of said main circuits opens the auxiliary switch in the associated secondary circuit, a normally closed auxiliary switch in each main circuit, said auxiliary switch having a movable contact, said movable contact being actuated and opening said auxiliary switch by means of the current consuming device in the secondary circuit not associated with its said main circuit, a subsequent circuit associated with each secondary circuit, said subsequent circuit leading from its associated secondary circuit to a point positioned to make engagement with the movable contact of the auxiliary switch in. the opposite main circuit, said subsequent circuit when closed electrically connects its associated secondary circuit to the current consuming device in the opposite main circuit.

9. In an electric lighting system, two electric lamp bulbs, each of said lamp bulbs having one filament, a main circuit for each of said filaments, a source or current for said filaments, one end of each of said filaments being electrically connected to one pole of said current source, a normally opened main switch electrically connected to the opposite pole of the current source for connecting each of said filaments separately or simultaneously to the current source, a bridge circuit interconnecting said main circuits, two normally closed auxiliary. switches positioned in series with said bridge circuit, one of said auxiliary switches being opened by an electrically operated switch opening device associated with one main circuit, the other of said auxiliary switches being opened by an electrically operated switch opening device associated with the opposite main circuit, said bridge circuit leading from a point in one of said main circuits between the main switch and the switch opening device thru both auxiliary switches to a point in the opposite main circuit between the filament and the switch opening device.

10. In an electric lighting system, two electric lamp bulbs, each of said lamp bulbs having one filament, a main circuit for each of said filaments, a source of current for said filaments, one end of each of said filaments being electrically connected to one pole of said current source, a normally opened main switch, electrically connected to the opposite pole of the current source for connecting each of said filaments separately or simultaneously to the current source, a bridge circuit interconnecting said main circuits, two normally closed auxiliary switches positioned in series with said bridge circuit, means for opening the bridge circuit when either or both of said main switches is closed and the flow of current is not interrupted thru either or both of said main circuits.

11. In combination two main electrical circuits, a source of current, a main switch associated with each main circuit for selectively connecting said main circuit to one pole of said current source, a current consuming device associated with each main circuit, said device being electrically connected to the opposite pole of said current source, an electromagnet, said magnet having a common core and two windings, one of said windings being in one of said main circuits and the other of said windings being in the opposite main circuit, said windings being in the same direction on the core and provide the same magnetic polarity when energized separately or simultaneously, a normally closed auxiliary switch having one stationary contact and one movable contact sai switch being opened by the energization of sai electromagnet, abridge circuit interconnecti said main. circuits, said bridge circuit leading from a point in one of said main circuits between the main switch and its associated winding on the electro-magnet thru the auxiliary switch to a point in the opposite main circuit between the current consuming device and its associated 1o 

